14 DAY TRIAL // On Monday, Disney officially revealed its intentions to introduce a project called MyMagic+ at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. As part of this program, customers will be given RFID (radio-frequency identification) enabled wristbands that monitor their behavior and help enhance customer experience.
On one hand, the wireless wristbands, dubbed MagicBands, will collect visitors’ names, details on what they purchase, the rides they take and location data, regardless whether they’re young or old.
It will also enable customers to book rides in advance and access FastPass+ selections. It will act as a guest room key, theme park ticket and, if linked to a credit card, it can also be used to make payments.
The New York Times – which learned that the implementation of the system might cost as much as $1 billion (800 million EUR) – informs that it can even be used to make sure that the mascots from the park know your name when they greet you.
As expected, whenever the collection of personal information is involved, some privacy concerns are raised.
While many Disney fans say they can’t wait to try out the wristbands, some appear to be creeped out by the thought of being constantly monitored.
“I love Disney and I enjoy technology, but I am a bit creeped out by this,” one user wrote in response to an article on StitchKingdom.
However, according to Disney representatives, visitors can use the special webpage or the mobile app to select what information is being shared.
“Ensuring the security of our guest’s information is obviously very important to us and no one is more focused on this than we are. Everything is opt in and guests will have the opportunity to choose what information they share with us,” Tom Staggs, chairman at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, explained.
“Nothing is more important to us than protecting that information. Guests should also know that the band does not store personal information.”